Electronic system, components and method for tracking files

ABSTRACT

A file tracking system including a processor, which maintains and interfaces with a database, a plurality of file folder retainers, and a plurality of file folders. The file tracking system actively maintains and updates the database, which includes file information, file location, and unique file address for the plurality of files, by providing interactive communication between the processor, the folder retainers, and the file folders. Each file folder may include an indicator light, such as an LED, which a user may cause to blink when trying to locate the file folder at a location accessed from the database.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 08/998,302 filed on Dec. 24, 1997, entitled ELECTRONIC SYSTEM,COMPONENTS AND METHOD FOR TRACKING FILES, which is a continuation ofU.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/379,944 filed on Jan. 27, 1995,entitled ELECTRONIC SYSTEM, COMPONENTS AND METHOD FOR TRACKING FILES,now U.S. Pat. No. 5,751,221. The entire disclosure of each of theseapplications is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] In general, the present invention relates to an electronicsystem, hardware, and method for tracking the location of files andtheir containers. More specifically, the present invention relates to anelectronic file tracking system that maintains a database identifyingeach file and its current location by interactive communication betweena computer processor and the file folders. The invention is particularlyadapted for use with office furniture.

[0003] In a typical office environment, files are normally stored invarious file cabinets located throughout the office. Each file cabinetor group of file cabinets stores files belonging to a particularcategory. These files are typically organized in an alphabetical ornumerical order within the drawers of the file cabinet or group of filecabinets. Files may also be stored on or in various shelving units,trays, boxes, work surfaces, bins, compartments, tables, desk drawers,or carts. In order to make these files accessible to all officepersonnel, the files must be stored in an organized manner. Officepersonnel expend a substantial amount of time retrieving files,replacing files back into the file cabinets, and maintaining theorganization of the files.

[0004] When someone wishes to obtain a particular file, he or she mustdetermine in which office, which file cabinet, and which drawer of thefile cabinet the file is supposed to be located. If the person lookingfor the file does not know the location of the file first hand, he orshe must make inquiries to the other employees or check a manuallymaintained listing of the file organization to locate the file. Oncethis person identifies where the file is supposed to be located, theperson must search through the numerous files stored in the drawer todetermine if the file is actually located in the drawer. In searchingthrough the file cabinet drawer, this person may discover that the fileis not located where it was supposed to be. The person must then againinquire about the office to determine if someone else has the file and,if no one else has the file, this person must search through other filedrawers to determine if the file is misfiled or lost. Active files tendto become stacked on the desktops of the employees most recently usingthose particular files, leading to poor accessibility for others.Clearly, tracking down a file may consume a significant portion of anemployee's time and any time spent looking for or reorganizing files isan inefficient use of that employee's time.

[0005] To maintain an organized system, when someone must add a numberof new files to a particular drawer of a file cabinet that is alreadyfilled to capacity, he or she must shift those files in the back of thedrawer to another drawer, which may also be filled to capacity. Further,whenever a sequential ordering scheme is used to organize files, evenfrequently accessed files may be dispersed throughout a number ofdrawers rather than in the front of a single file drawer where thefrequently accessed files would be more easily accessible.

[0006] The above problems are particularly prevalent in hospitals,doctors offices, law offices, government agencies, and anywhere elsewhere large amounts of printed documents or other media are handled andmaintained.

[0007] One approach that was developed to alleviate some of the aboveproblems in tracking files is to provide a bar code label on each filefolder and to maintain a database correlating the bar code I.D. of thefile and its relative location. In order to accurately maintain the filelocations in the database, bar code readers are placed about the officefor employees to scan the bar code and enter a new location whenever theemployees move a file from one location to another.

[0008] The problem with this approach is its reliance upon the employeesto take the time to scan the bar code and enter user and locationidentification information into the database every time an employeepulls a file out of a file drawer or off a shelf. Furthermore, thedatabase may only identify the general location of the file, which maybe a location where many other files are also located. Thus, althoughsomeone looking for a file may know its general location, this personmay spend considerable time trying to locate the file amongst thenumerous other files, particularly if the file is misfiled.Additionally, not all possible locations and potential users of thefiles may be identified within the database. Thus, the database may notaccurately reflect the exact location of a file.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Accordingly, the present invention has been made to overcome theabove problems of the conventional filing system. The file trackingsystem of the present invention automatically determines when a file hasbeen removed from its previous location, when it is returned, anddetermines when a new file has been added to the system. Additionally,the file tracking system of the present invention allows users to easilyand accurately identify the exact location of a file by having aprocessor communicate with a device carried by the file folders andactivate an indicator, such as a light, on the file folders and/or filecabinets in response to a signal sent by the processor. Thus, thepresent invention requires minimal human interaction to maintain anaccurate database identifying the location of the files while permittingboth random and ordered filing of the file folders. Moreover, the filetracking system of the present invention may be inexpensively andreadily implemented in existing office furniture.

[0010] Additional features and advantages of the invention will be setforth in part in the description which follows and in part will beapparent from the description, or may be learned by practice of theinvention.

[0011] The features and advantages of the invention may be realized andobtained by means of the instrumentalities and combinations particularlypointed out in the written description and claims hereof as well as theappended drawings.

[0012] To achieve these and other advantages, and in accordance with thepurpose of the invention as embodied and broadly described herein, thefile tracking system of this invention includes a database formaintaining at least file identity, file location, and unique fileaddress for a plurality of files, a processor for interfacing with thedatabase and issuing control signals, a bus connected to the processor,a folder retainer connected to the processor by the bus, a plurality offile folders, each file folder including an addressable device adaptedto be electrically connected to the bus when the file folder is placedin the folder retainer. Each folder may include an indicator which isactivated when the addressable device receives a control signal from theprocessor including the unique address corresponding to the file folder.The database may additionally store the following: access information,which may be used to prevent individuals from accessing certain filefolders; retention information, which may be used to determine thelength of time since the file folder was last accessed in order todetermine whether the file may be purged; classification information,which may indicate any classification groups the file folder isassociated with; access history, which may indicate who checked out thefile folder and when the file folder was checked in or out; key wordlists, which list certain key words that describe or may be found in thefile; and location history information, which may indicate the locationsand dates at which the file folder has been located over a period oftime.

[0013] The above features and advantages may also be attained by usingthe file cabinet of the present invention in a file tracking system. Thefile cabinet of the present invention includes a plurality of filedrawers, at least one file drawer including a first conductor forproviding control signals a file folder when the file folder is placedin the file drawer; the control signals being provided by the filetracking system, and a second conductor for providing a return path fromthe file folder placed in the file drawer.

[0014] Additionally, the advantages of the present invention may beattained by using a file folder of the present invention in a filetracking system. The file folder of the present invention includes atleast one surface, an addressable device carried by the file folder andhaving a unique address, a first conductor on the surface electricallycoupled to the addressable device for providing control signals to theaddressable device when the file folder is placed in a folder retainer,the first conductor adapted to communicatively couple to a processor ofthe file tracking system, the control signals being provided by theprocessor, and a second conductor on the surface for providing a returnpath from the addressable device.

[0015] These and other features, objects, and benefits of the inventionwill be recognized by those who practice the invention and by thoseskilled in the art, from the specification, the claims, and the drawingfigures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] In the drawings:

[0017]FIG. 1 is a pictorial view of a file tracking system constructedin accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention;

[0018]FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the hierarchy of the filetracking system of the present invention;

[0019]FIG. 3 is an electrical schematic view illustrating the electricalconnections of a portion of the file tracking system shown in FIG. 1;

[0020]FIG. 4 is an electrical schematic view of an addressable switchwhich may be used in the file tracking system of the present invention;

[0021]FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a file folder in electricalcontact with a bus conductor according to a first implementation in thefile tracking system of the present invention;

[0022]FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a file folder and a bus conductoraccording to a second implementation in the file tracking system of thepresent invention;

[0023]FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a hanging file folder inelectrical contact with a bus conductor according to a thirdimplementation in the file tracking system of the present invention;

[0024]FIG. 8 is a graphic view of a main user interface window of thefile tracking system of the present invention;

[0025]FIG. 9 is a graphic representation of a debug window of the filetracking system of the present invention;

[0026]FIG. 10 is a graphic representation of a Get Number dialog box ofthe file tracking system of the present invention;

[0027]FIG. 11 is a flow chart illustrating the polling operation of thefile tracking system of the present invention;

[0028]FIG. 12 is flow chart showing the device scanning operation of asubroutine executed by the file tracking system of the presentinvention;

[0029]FIG. 13 is a flow chart showing the indicator light scanningoperation of the file tracking system of the present invention;

[0030]FIG. 14 is a pictorial view of a file tracking system constructedin accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention; and

[0031]FIG. 15 is a pictorial view of a file tracking system constructedin accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0032] Reference will now be made in detail to the present preferredembodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in theaccompanying drawings.

[0033] The exemplary embodiment of the file tracking system of thepresent invention is shown in FIG. 1 and is designated generally by thereference numeral 10. As used throughout this description of theinvention and in the following claims the term “media” includes paper,film, X-ray film, magazines, books, photographs, microfiche, video andaudio tapes, models, exhibits, or anything else retained and filed. Theterm “file folders” refers to any type of structure for containing mediaincluding bi-fold, side-tab, expandable, and tri-fold file folders, andmay further include various types of binders, jackets, envelopes, boxes,holders, cartons or the like. The term “files” as used herein includesthe file folder and all media inside. The term “folder retainers” refersto various numbers of, and/or combinations of, file trays, filecabinets, shelving units, desks, furniture drawers, packing boxes,archive tubs, wall-mounted or countertop file racks, bins, carts, pads,mats, desk tops, countertops, any work surface on which file folders arecommonly stacked or placed, or any other structure for holding filefolders. A “file locating device” broadly includes any device that wouldassist a user to locate a file. An “annunciator” is a file locatingdevice that audibly and/or visually announces the location of a file,and includes audible alarms, such as beepers, and visual indicators,such as light emitting diodes (LEDs). Additionally, other types ofannunciators or, as more broadly defined herein, file locating devices,such as an audible alarm, may supplement or replace the visual indicatorlights used in the file tracking system.

[0034] In general, file tracking system 10 includes a processor 20 and aplurality of folder retainers. For purposes of example, FIG. 1 shows afile tray 40, a file cabinet 50, a shelving unit 60, and a desk 85although any of the above defined folder retainers may be used invarious numbers and combinations.

[0035] A bus 30 communicatively couples processor 20 with the folderretainers. Each folder retainer includes bus conductors 80 forelectrically contacting one or more file folders 70. Bus 30 preferablyincludes two lines. One for providing control signals to file folders 70and another for providing a return. Although the preferred embodimentutilizes two lines, bus 30 may be implemented in any bus using anynumber of physical or virtual, multiplexed lines. Bus conductors 80 maybe included on a surface of a file retainer such as a file drawer, orembedded within a working surface, such as a desktop, countertop, shelf,or tray, to create a file retainer location thereon.

[0036] Processor 20 includes a display 22 and an input device 25, suchas a keyboard. Preferably, processor 20 is a personal computer. As willbe explained in greater detail below, processor 20 maintains andinterfaces with a database under the direction of an operating programthat instructs processor 20 to actively communicate with the folderretainers and the file folders 70 via bus 30. In this manner, processor20 may update the database and maintain accurate information on thelocation of file folders 70 placed in the system. The database used maybe any commercially available ANSI SQL compatible database, such asMicrosoft Access™ database.

[0037] A tray 40, which is useful in the file tracking system 10 of thepresent invention, may be formed of a conventional file tray modified toinclude a bus conductor 80 having at least two conductive strips (42,43), an indicator light 45, such as a light emitting diode (LED), and anaddressable switch 100 (FIG. 4), which is connected between theconductive strips and indicator light 45. Preferably, the conductivestrips include at least one ground conductor 42 and at least one controlconductor 43 connected to bus 30. As will be described in greaterdetailed below, tray 40 provides a communication link between filefolders 70, which are placed thereon to processor 20 whereby processor20 can track the location of file folders 70 placed on file tray 40 andcan selectively light indicator light 45 on tray 40 and any indicatorlight 75 on file folders 70.

[0038] File cabinet 50 includes a plurality of drawers 54 a-54 c, eachof which includes an indicator light 55 a-55 c on an outer drawer face.Each drawer 54 a-54 c further includes a bus conductor 80 having atleast one ground conductor 52 and a control conductor 53, which contactthe conductive strips of file folders 70, and an addressable drawerswitch 100 (FIG. 4), which is connected between ground conductor 52,control conductor 53, and indicator light 55 a-55 c. File cabinet 50 mayoptionally include a branch indicator 95 (FIG. 3) associated with abranch control point 92 (FIG. 2) and having a unique cabinet address andan indicator light 51 that can be lit whenever processor 20 transmits acontrol signal including the unique cabinet address of the addressablecabinet switch.

[0039] Shelving unit 60 includes at least one shelf 61 a-61 b, whichincludes a bus conductor 80 having at least one ground conductor 62 anda control conductor 63 for contacting the conductive strips of filefolders 70. Shelving unit 60 also preferably includes an addressableswitch 100 having a unique address and an indicator light 65, which canbe lit whenever processor 20 transmits a control signal including theunique address of the addressable switch.

[0040] Desk 85 includes at least one drawer 86 a, 86 b which includes abus conductor 80 therein and an indicator 87 a, 87 b on an outer facethereof. In addition, desk 85 may include a bus conductor 80 embedded ina work surface thereof. Further, a mat 88 having a bus conductor 80embedded therein may be placed on the top of desk 85 or any otherworking surface of an article of furniture.

[0041]FIG. 2 illustrates a typical system hierarchy employed whenseveral branch connections exist in the system. A user's work area 90may include, for example, a processor 20 and a plurality of filecabinets 50. Because each file cabinet 50 includes a plurality ofdrawers 54 a-54 c, which, in turn, contain a plurality of file folders70, file tracking system 10 preferably utilizes the hierarchy shown inFIG. 2 to separately activate a single branch at a time. To enable asingle branch to be activated at a time, file tracking system 10preferably includes a plurality of branch control points 92,92′, whichmay be individually activated to permit access to the branch controlledby the branch control point 92. Thus, to access file folders 70 in adrawer 54 a of file cabinet 50 a, processor 20 transmits a controlsignal to the branch control point 92 for the file cabinet 50 a suchthat processor 20 may now transmit a control signal to the branchcontrol point 92′ for drawer 54 a. After processor 20 transmits acontrol signal to branch control point 92 for cabinet 50 a, processor 20transmits a control signal to the branch control point 92′ for drawer 54a to activate the bus conductors 80 located in drawer 54 a therebyallowing processor 20 to communicate with file folders 70 included infile drawer 54 a. Alternatively, a processor 20 that is located outsideuser's work area 90 may access file folders 70 within user's work area90 by transmitting control signals through a network 91. File trackingsystem 10 may further include a serial port adapter or secondaryprocessor 27, which is connected to receive control signals from aserial port of processor 20, convert the received control signals to aformat appropriate for a single pair bus, and distribute the controlsignals to the correct file cabinet 50 or other folder retainerconnected to the system.

[0042]FIG. 3 shows an exemplary electrical schematic of the connectionsbetween processor 20 and file folders 70. As shown in FIG. 3, bus 30includes a control line 31 and a ground line 32. Bus 30 is preferably asingle pair bus. In the hierarchical arrangement shown in FIG. 3, branchcontrol point switch assemblies 93 a and 93 b represent control pointsfor activating the bus conductors 80 of two different file drawers 54 ofa file cabinet 50. Although only one file folder (70 a, 70 b) is shownfor each file drawer 54, each file drawer 54 will typically have aplurality of file folders 70 contacting its bus connector 80.

[0043] Each file folder 70 preferably includes a folder indicator light75 and an addressable folder switch 76 having a unique addressassociated therewith. Alternatively, each folder may include anaddressable device when an indicator is not employed such that eachfolder has a unique ID tag that may be communicated to processor 20.Although the file folders 70 are illustrated as bi-fold file folders, asstated above, the file folders may be any type of file folder aspreviously defined.

[0044]FIG. 4 shows the general structure of an addressable switch 100useful in the file tracking system of the present invention. Addressableswitch 100 includes a load transistor 101 having a gate 102, a sourceserving as a load terminal 103, and a drain serving as a ground terminal104. Addressable switch 100 further includes a digital control device105 connected between gate 102 and a control terminal 106. Digitalcontrol device 105 includes a read only memory (ROM) 108 in which theunique address of addressable switch 100 is stored.

[0045] Digital control device 105 receives control signals at controlterminal 106. These control signals include an address and a command.When digital control device 105 senses a control signal at controlterminal 106, digital control device 105 compares the address in thereceived control signal to the unique address stored in ROM 108. If theaddress contained in the control signal is not the same as the uniqueaddress stored in ROM 108, digital control device 105 awaits furthercontrol signals. If, on the other hand, the address contained in thecontrol signal is the same as the unique address stored in ROM 108,digital control device 105 executes the command contained in thereceived control signal or contained in a subsequently transmittedcontrol signal.

[0046] In the context of the present invention, addressable switch 100may perform various tasks in response to an appropriate command receivedat control terminal 106. For example, digital control device 105 maychange the state of load transistor 101 between conductive andnonconductive states by controlling the voltage applied to gate 102.Additionally, digital control device 105 may transmit a reply signalover control terminal 106 indicating the state of load transistor 101 orthe unique address stored in ROM 108. By transmitting the state of loadtransistor 101, digital control device 105 may transmit the status of anattached indicator light. Preferably, digital control device 105 derivesits power entirely from control line 31 by storing energy in a capacitor(not shown) when control terminal 106 is in a high logic state. Anexample of an addressable switch 100 that may be used in the filetracking system of the present invention is the DS2405 addressableswitch available from Dallas Semiconductor, in Dallas, Tex.

[0047] Referring again to FIG. 3, branch control points 92 a, 92 b, . .. 92 n each include at least one branch control point switch assembly 93a, 93 b, . . . 93 n including a branch control addressable switch 94 a,94 b, . . . 94 n having a unique address associated therewith. Branchcontrol point 92 a may also include a branch indicator 95 a, whichincludes a branch indictor light 96 a, such as an LED, and a branchindicator addressable switch 97 a having a unique address associatedtherewith to permit independent control of branch indicator light 96 aby processor 20.

[0048] To communicate with file folder 70 a located in a particulardrawer 54 a, processor 20, transmits a control signal over control line31 via serial port adapter 27 to control terminals 106 of all branchcontrol addressable switches 94 a, 94 b, . . . 94 n connected to groundline 32. The transmitted control signal includes the unique addressassociated with branch control addressable switch 94 a associated withdrawer 54 a with which communication is desired. The control signal alsoincludes a command instructing this branch control addressable switch 94a to change to a conductive state thereby providing a connection betweenground line 32 and addressable folder switch 76 a. Subsequently,processor 20 may transmit control signals individually to addressablefolder switch 76 a by including the unique address associated therewith.Thus, processor 20 may illuminate folder indicator light 75 a of anyspecified file folder within a specified drawer 54 a. Additionally,processor 20 may obtain information from addressable folder switches 76a, 76 b, . . . 76 n through a later described and deterministic processto determine the unique address stored in ROM 108 of each of addressablefolder switches 76 a, 76 b, . . . 76 n. Processor 20 may also illuminatebranch indicator light 96 a by first transmitting a control signalincluding the unique address of branch control addressable switch 94 aand subsequently transmitting a control signal including the uniqueaddress of branch indicator addressable switch 97 a. By providing abranch indicator light 96 a on a folder retainer such as a file drawer54 a, a file tray 40, or a shelving unit 60, one can quickly determinein which folder retainer a selected file folder 70 is located by lookingfor the folder retainer with the illuminated branch indicator light 96.

[0049] In the preferred embodiment, each file folder 70 has anaddressable switch having a unique address associated therewith in anygiven system installation. In some applications, multiple file folders70 could intentionally have identical addresses corresponding to filesrelated or grouped in some fashion. Further, an inadvertent duplicationof addresses could result in any installation from a finite number ofaddresses in a mass produced, manufacturing environment. In all suchsituations, unique addresses are still present as envisioned herein.

[0050] The manner in which contact can be made between the conductivestrips on a file folder 70 and the conductive rails of a bus conductor80 will now be described with reference to FIGS. 5-7.

[0051] Bus conductors 80 a, 80 b, 80 c preferably include at least oneground conductive rail 82 a, 82 b, 82 c, a control conductive rail 83 a,83 b, 83 c, and a support 84 a, 84 b, 84 c for supporting the conductiverails. Support 84 a, 84 b, 84 c preferably is formed of an electricallyinsulating material and supports the conductive rails in parallel withone another. Bus conductor 80 a-80 c may be formed as an integral partof a folder retainer or, alternatively, may be formed as a separateelement which may be added to an existing folder retainer. As shown inFIG. 5, bus conductor 80 a may be implemented in a vertically spaced,horizontally extending manner to provide contact along a vertical side,end, or back surface of a folder retainer. Thus, using bus conductor 80a, contact may be provided along the back of a shelving unit or bookcaseor along the side of a file or desk drawer. Alternatively, as shown inFIG. 6, bus conductor 80 b may be implemented such that contact isprovided in a horizontally spaced, horizontally extending manner along ahorizontal or bottom surface of a folder retainer. Horizontallyextending bus conductor 80 b is advantageous in that contact with thefile folders is aided by gravitational forces and that contact may bemade with either the edges of file folders vertically stacked thereon orwith the large exterior surfaces of file folders laid flat thereon.Moreover, as shown in FIG. 7, bus conductor 80 c may be implemented as asupport rail in a file drawer 54 upon which hanging file folders 70 cmay be suspended. In such an implementation, file folder 70 c does notrequire conductive strips, but rather a file folder indicator lightassembly 71 is provided having a contact 78 for contacting controlconductive rail 83 c and a wire 77 connected to file folder hangerextension 74, which in turn contacts ground conductive rail 82 c.However, hanging file folders 70 c may still have such conductive stripsto provide stackability and redundant contact through adjacent filefolders as is later described.

[0052] Bus conductors 80 may optionally be disposed in more than onesurface and in various combinations. For example, one conductive railmay be disposed on the bottom interior surface of a file drawer, whileanother conductive rail may be disposed on an interior side surface ofthe file drawer. Further, one conductive rail may be disposed on theside or bottom of a file drawer and another conductive rail may bedisposed on a support rail, such as that shown in FIG. 7. Additionally,in a shelf or bookcase, one conductive rail could be disposed on a backsurface and another could be disposed on a top surface of a shelf.

[0053] File folders 70 a, 70 b preferably include conductive stripsincluding at least one return conductive strip 72 a, 72 b and a controlconductive strip 73 a, 73 b arranged in a pattern that allows forrelative movement between file folders or between the file folder and abus conductor, such as that shown in FIG. 5 or that shown in FIG. 6. Theconductive strips are preferably applied to both large exterior surfacesas well as made to extend around the side and bottom edges. By applyingthe conductive strip pattern to both large exterior surfaces of filefolder 70 a, 70 b, 70 c, a file folder 70 a, 70 b, 70 c that is not indirect contact with bus conductor 80 a, 80 b is nevertheless permittedto have a connection to bus conductor 80 a, 80 b via adjacent andintermediate file folders 70 a, 70 b, 70 c. Thus, if too many filefolders 70 a, 70 b, 70 c are placed in a file drawer 54 such that a filefolder 70 a, 70 b, 70 c is laterally shifted and cannot directly contactbus conductor 80 a, 80 b a connection will be provided through adjacentfile folders 70 a, 70 b, 70 c. Similarly, file folders 70 a, 70 b, 70 cstacked in a file tray 40 will have a connection to bus conductor 80 a,80 b via file folders 70 a, 70 b, 70 c positioned therebetween.

[0054] As shown in FIG. 5, file folder 70 a has at least one largeexterior surface having a top and bottom edge as well as left and rightside edges. The conductive strip pattern shown thereon includes threeconductive strips (i.e., conductors)—one control conductive strip 73 aand two return conductive strips 72 a. The control conductor 73 a is “V”shaped and includes a first conductive linear strip 73 a′ extending fromthe left edge of the surface to a central point on the bottom edge ofthe surface and a second conductive linear strip 73 a″ extending fromthe central point on the bottom edge of the surface to the right edge ofthe surface. A first one of the return conductors 72 a includes a linearstrip 72 a′ extending in parallel to the first conductive linear strip73 a′ of the control conductor 73 a from the left edge of the surface tothe bottom edge of the surface. The other one of the return conductors72 a includes a linear strip 72 a″ extending in parallel to the secondconductive linear strip 73 a″ of the control conductor 73 a from thebottom edge of the surface to the right edge of the surface. The linearstrips of the two return conductors 72 a are positioned an equaldistance on opposite sides of the control conductor 73 a. Preferably,the same conductive strip pattern is applied to the back or otherexterior surfaces of file folder 70 a.

[0055] As shown in FIG. 6, file folder 70 b also has at least one largeexterior surface having a top and bottom edge as well as left and rightside edges. The conductive strip pattern shown thereon includes threeconductive strips—one control conductive strip 73 b and two returnconductive strips 72 b. The control conductor 73 b consists of aconductive linear strip extending from the top edge of the surface to abottom edge. The return conductors 72 b are formed of two linear strips72 b′ and 72 b″, each extending in parallel to the conductive linearstrip of the control conductor 73 b from the top edge to the bottomedge. The two linear strips 72 b′,72 b″ constituting the returnconductors 72 b are positioned an equal distance on opposite sides ofthe control conductor 73 b. Preferably, the same conductive strippattern is applied to the back or other exterior surfaces of file folder70 b.

[0056] The conductive strip patterns shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 permitproper electrical contact even when the file folders 70 a, 70 b arerotated 180° about the illustrated y axis, which parallels the left sideedges of the file folders, relative to one or more adjacent file foldersor relative to bus conductor 80 a, 80 b. The conductive strip patternshown in FIG. 5 may be utilized with either of the bus conductors 80 a,80 b shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 because the strips overlap or extend aroundboth the bottom and side edges of the file folder and permit properelectrical contact even when a file folder 70 a is rotated 90° about thez axis, which is orthogonal to the large exterior surfaces of filefolders 70 a, 70 b, with respect to adjacent file folders or busconductor 80 a, 80 b. Further, the conductive strip pattern shown inFIG. 5 permits contact when laid flat on an adjacent file folder or anappropriately arranged bus conductor.

[0057] The conductive strip pattern shown in FIG. 6 is similarlyadvantageous in that proper electric contact may be made regardless ofwhether contact is made with the edge of file folder 70 b or with theentire surface of file folder 70 b should file folder 70 b be laid flaton conductive bus 80 b. Thus, with respect to bus conductor 80 b or anadjacent file folder, file folder 70 b may be rotated 180° about the x,y, and z axes, and further may be rotated 90° about the x axis, whichparallels the bottom edges of file folders 70 a, 70 b, withoutdisrupting the electrical contact between bus conductor 80 b and theconductive strips. Additionally, the conductive strip pattern shown onfile folder 70 b permits file folders 70 b to be significantly laterallyshifted in the y direction relative to one another while stillmaintaining the necessary contact.

[0058] Hence, the conductive strip patterns are configured toelectrically connect an addressable folder switch 76 with electricalcontacts of the file tracking system when the file folder is positionedin any one of several different positions that allow a proper connectionto be made. Further, the conductive strip patterns are configured toelectrically connect an addressable folder switch 76 with the filetracking system when the file folder 70 is positioned in (1) any one ofseveral different orientations with respect to the electrical contactsof the electronic file tracking system; (2) any one of several differentlateral positions with respect to an adjacent file folder; or (3) anyone of several different rotated positions with respect to an adjacentfile folder. Additionally, the conductive strip pattern is preferablyconfigured to electrically connect the addressable folder switch 76 tothe file tracking system at a plurality of locations on the file folder70.

[0059] The conductive strips may be formed of conductive tape, fabric,coating, which may be a conductive ink or polymer, or other suitableconductive materials. The choice between such materials being a factorof the shape and composition of the particular file folder, cost andlongevity goals, and other concerns.

[0060] As evident from the foregoing description of the bus conductorsand the conductive strip patterns applied to the file folders, the filetracking system of the present invention offers exceptional flexibility,both in design and in use.

[0061] Having described the preferred structure of the first embodimentof the present invention, the operation of file tracking system 10 willnow be described with reference to FIGS. 8-13.

[0062]FIG. 8 shows a main user interface window 200 that a user wouldsee on display 22 of processor 20. Main user interface window 200indicates the title 201 of a file identified in the database, thecontent and keywords of the file 202, the location of the file 203, theoriginator of the file 204, the date the file was filed in the system205, the name of the last user of the file 206, the date the file waslast removed from the system 207, and the date the file was returned tothe system 208. The database may store additional information fordisplay to the user. For example, the database may store the locationsin a computer network where any redundant copies of the file are stored.

[0063] The software utilized in file tracking system 10 generallyincludes a user interface module for providing windows, dialog boxes,and menus, such as window 200. Preferably, the user interface moduleoperates in a graphic user interface such as Windows® software availablefrom Microsoft Corporation. The software also includes severalstandalone event subroutines that are executed when their associatedcontrols are activated by a user or for timed events, at the configuredintervals. The event subroutines may be classified into four mainfunctional groups: a database interface; a bus interface; optioncontrol; and Debug control.

[0064] The database interface subroutines provide the viewing, editing,and search capability for the file folder records. The viewing controlsallow movement through the database records and the display of recordfields. The editing controls allow the entry, deletion, and updating ofdatabase records. The search controls let the user locate records byvalue within the title or content\keyword field, and the viewing of thesearched group.

[0065] The bus interface subroutines compile and issue control signalsover bus 30 to the various branch control point switch assemblies 93 andfile folders 70 on the system. An example of an interface for a singlepair bus having addressable switches 100 connected thereto is TMEX™interface available from Dallas Semiconductor, Dallas, Tex. Preferably,the bus interface includes functions to start and stop a communicationsession, identify attached devices, and the sense and control thefunctioning of the addressable switches.

[0066] The option control subroutines allow the user to adjust theindicator light blink rate, the indicator light ON duration, bus scanrate, device persistence, and form display to include debug information.A user may set the indicator light blink rate and the bus scan rate bydefining the period between their events, which is the interval propertyof their timer control.

[0067] The user may set the device persistence in increments of bus scanrate and controls the length of time that passes before processor 20considers a missing file folder device to be removed.

[0068] This persistence compensates for intermittent contacts duringfile folder movement. The debug information includes a status windowused to display program messages, access to debug controls, and databasefields not normally of interest to the user such as state variables andthe unique address associated with the device.

[0069] The debug controls allow the status messages to be cleared, thebus to be reset, and the scan timers to be enabled/disabled. FIG. 9shows a debug window 210 illustrating the manner in which the userinterface presents the debug controls to a user.

[0070] The operations described below, utilize various combinations ofthe event subroutines described above. Thus, any given operation mayinclude one or more data interface subroutine, bus interface subroutine,option control subroutine, and/or debug control subroutine.

[0071]FIG. 10 shows a polling rate request window 215, which allows auser to adjust the rate at which file tracking system 10 polls the filefolders located within the system. A user may display the polling raterequest window 215 by selecting the “Options” menu on main userinterface window 200.

[0072] With the exception of the ability to adjust the polling rate,processor 20 generally polls file folders 70 and maintains the databasetransparently to the users. The manner by which processor 20periodically polls file folders 70 will be described with reference tothe flow charts shown in FIGS. 11 and 12.

[0073] Polling (Step 300) occurs periodically at the rate established bythe user in polling rate request window 215. Initially, processor 20executes a scan of a main branch looking for new, reconnected, andremoved branch control point switch assemblies 93 (Step 302). The mannerby which processor 20 performs this operation is shown in the flow chartin FIG. 12.

[0074] Processor 20 initiates a scan 302, 330 by opening communicationwith the desired main branch 98 (FIG. 2) (Step 304). Then processor 20attempts to detect the presence of a device (in this case, a branchcontroller addressable switch) (Step 306). By a process of elimination,processor 20 may determine the unique address of any newly detectedbranch controller addressable switch 94 and store the unique address inthe database. If a branch controller addressable switch 94 is found,processor 20 queries whether branch controller addressable switch 94 isnew by accessing the database and determining whether a branchcontroller addressable switch 94 having the received unique address waspreviously registered therein (Step 308). If the branch controlleraddressable switch 94 detected is new, processor 20 adds the branchcontroller addressable switch 94 to the database and automatically fillsin whatever fields can be filled in with the information that may beobtained such as the location of branch controller addressable switch 94(Step 310).

[0075] To determine the unique address of devices, such as addressablefolder switches 76 and branch controller addressable switches 94,located on a given branch, processor 20 issues a command instructing theaddressable folder switches 76 and branch controller addressableswitches 94 to transmit the unique address stored in ROM 108 bit by bit.When a plurality of devices are present on the activated branch, each ofthem simultaneously transmits the first bit of the unique address on bus30. Processor 20 senses the state of bus 30, which represents a logicalAND of all the first bits of each device located on the activated bus.Processor 20 then issues a command to each device to transmit thecomplement of the first bit of their respective unique address. Ifprocessor 20 detects two “0's” in response to these two inquiries,processor 20 determines that there are devices located on the branchthat have a “0” in the first bit position and other devices having a “1”in the first bit position. If all devices had a “0” in the first bitposition, the reading would have been a “0” followed by a “1”. If a “1”followed by a “0” were received, processor 20 determines that all thepresent devices have a “1” in the first bit position. Last, if processor20 detects two “1's ”, no devices are present on the activated branch.

[0076] The above procedure for identifying unknown devices on a branchmay be further optimized by first disabling all known devices on thebranch and then performing the operation on those devices that are notdisabled. In the illustrated embodiment, such procedure is carried outusing the SearchROM command included with the TMEX Software from DallasSemiconductor.

[0077] Processor 20 then issues a control signal including one of the“1” or “0” logic values in the first bit position in order to disablethe devices that do not have this logic value in the first bit positionof their unique address. Processor 20 then issues a command to thedevices that remain enabled requesting these devices to transmit thesecond bit of their unique addresses and the complement thereof.Processor 20 then uses the same process to determine the value of thesecond bit of at least one of the remaining devices. Processor 20repeats the above steps until the unique address of one of the devicesis known.

[0078] Subsequently, processor 20 reactivates the other devices on theactivated branch and repeats the above process using a different logiclevel at the highest bit position where processor 20 was able todetermine that a single device remained. In this manner, processor 20determines the unique address of each file folder 70 and branchcontroller 93 located on an activated branch.

[0079] After the new branch controller addressable switch 94 has beenadded to the database, processor 20 scans the rest of main branch 98looking for additional branch controller addressable switches 94 (Step306). If processor 20 detects a branch controller addressable switch 94on the main branch 98 that is not new, processor 20 compares the branchcontroller state and location with that previously stored in thedatabase and updates the database if any changes are detected (Step312). Processor 20 continues to search for additional branch controlleraddressable switches 94 on main branch 98 until no further branchcontroller addressable switches 94 are detected in Step 306.

[0080] When processor 20 determines that no further branch controlleraddressable switches 94 are present on main branch 98, processor 20closes communication with main branch 98 (Step 314). Next, processor 20queries the database for the number of branch controller addressableswitches 94 presently registered in the database as being located onmain branch 98 (Step 315) and compares this number with the number ofbranch controller addressable switches 94 that processor 20 detected inStep 306 while scanning main branch 98 (Step 316).

[0081] If the number of branch controller addressable switches 94presently registered exceeds the number of branch controller addressableswitches 94 detected, processor 20 determines that at least one branchcontroller addressable switch 94 has been removed from main branch 98.

[0082] To verify that a branch controller addressable switch 94 has beenremoved, processor 20 reopens communication with main branch 98 (Step318) and transmits control signals to each branch controller addressableswitch 94 registered in the database by including the unique addressthereof in the control signal, which is stored in the database (Step320). If a branch controller addressable switch 94 fails to respond tothe control signal sent by processor 20, processor 20 changes the stateof the branch controller addressable switch 94 registered in thedatabase to “timing out” (Step 322). After processor 20 transmits acontrol signal to each registered branch controller addressable switch94, processor 20 closes communication with main branch 98 (Step 324).

[0083] After processor 20 has closed communication with the reopenedmain branch 98 in Step 324 or after processor 20 has determined that thenumber of branch controller addressable switches 94 registered in thedatabase does not exceed the number of branch controller addressableswitches 94 detected in Step 316, processor 20 queries the database forthe identity and unique address of all present branch controlleraddressable switches 94 on the main branch 98 (Step 326 in FIG. 11) andchanges the state of addressable branch controller switches 94 toconducting one at a time in order to activate each secondary branch 99(Step 328).

[0084] While a branch controller addressable switch 94 is conducting,processor 20 scans the activated branch for new, replaced, or removedfile folders 70 contacting the activated branch (Step 330). The mannerby which processor 20 performs this operation is shown in the flow chartin FIG. 12.

[0085] First, processor 20 opens communication with the desiredsecondary branch 99 (Step 304). Then processor 20 attempts to detect thepresence of a device (in this case, a file folder 70) (Step 306). If afile folder 70 is found, processor 20 queries whether file folder 70 isnew by accessing the database and determining whether file folder 70 waspreviously registered therein (Step 308). If the file folder 70 detectedis new, processor 20 adds file folder 70 to the database andautomatically fills in whatever fields can be filled in with theinformation that may be obtained (Step 310). By the process ofelimination, processor 20 may determine the unique address of any newlydetected addressable file folder switch 76 and store the unique addressin the database. After the new file folder 70 has been added to thedatabase, processor 20 scans the rest of the opened secondary branch 99looking for additional file folders 70 (Step 306).

[0086] If processor 20 detects a file folder 70 on the opened secondarybranch 99 that is not new, processor 20 compares the file folder stateand location with that previously stored in the database and updates thedatabase if any changes are detected (Step 312). Processor 20 continuesto search for additional file folders 70 on secondary branch 99 until nofurther file folders 70 are detected in Step 306.

[0087] When processor 20 determines that no further file folders 70 arepresent on the opened secondary branch 99, processor 20 closescommunication with this secondary branch 99 (Step 314). Next, processor20 queries the database for the number of file folders 70 presentlyregistered in the database as being located on this secondary branch 99and compares this number with the number of file folders 70 thatprocessor 20 detected in Step 306 while scanning the secondary branch 99(Step 316). If the number of file folders 70 presently registeredexceeds the number of file folders 70 detected, processor 20 determinesthat at least one file folder 70 has been removed from the openedsecondary branch 99.

[0088] To verify that a file folder 70 has been removed, processor 20reopens communication with the secondary branch 99 (Step 318) andtransmits control signals to each file folder 70 registered in thedatabase by including the unique address thereof in the control signal,which is stored in the database (Step 320). If a file folder 70 fails torespond to the control signal sent by processor 20, processor 20 changesthe state of the file folder 70 registered in the database to “timingout” (Step 322). After processor 20 transmits a control signal to eachregistered file folder 70, processor 20 closes communication with thissecondary branch 99 (Step 324).

[0089] After processor 20 has closed communication with the reopenedsecondary branch 99 in Step 324 or after processor 20 has determinedthat the number of file folders 70 registered in the database does notexceed the number of file folders 70 detected in Step 316, processor 20activates another secondary branch 99 by transmitting a control signalincluding the unique address of the branch controller addressable switch94 associated with the selected secondary branch 99 (Step 328 in FIG.11).

[0090] After processor 20 has scanned all the secondary branches 99,processor 20 queries the database for the identity of all devices in the“timing out” state (Step 332) and decrements the persistence valuesstored in association therewith (Step 334). The persistence valueindicates the number of additional times that processor 20 will performa scan of all file folders 70 before a file folder having a “timing out”status will be considered to have a “timed out” or removed status. Whena file folder has “timed out” (Step 336), processor 20 updates thedatabase to indicate this change in status (Step 338) and ends thescanning operation (Step 340). Once the scanning operation is finished,a timer is started to determine when the next scanning operation is tobe performed.

[0091] Processor 20 automatically updates the database by inserting thedate and time the file was detected as having been removed from thesystem into the appropriate database fields associated with file folder70. Additionally, processor 20 may identify the individual who removedfile folder 70 by determining who was the last individual to log ontothe system and cause the indicator light of the removed file folder toblink. This is especially helpful in locations where security measuresrequire logging onto the system before removing files. Then, if thepresence of the removed file folder 70 is subsequently detected at adifferent location, such as on an individual's desk, processor 20 mayupdate the database to indicate that the individual who removed the fileis the individual associated with the location (i.e., desk) where filefolder 70 was subsequently detected or have a separate fieldcorresponding to the individual responsible for that particular area orlocation.

[0092] By actively polling each file folder 70, file tracking system 10maintains an accurate record of file folder location and usage historywithout requiring action by office personnel. Moreover, office personnelneed not spend their valuable time keeping the files organized. Usingfile tracking system 10, a person may quickly determine the presentlocation of a file folder and cause LEDs on the file folder and filecabinet drawer to blink to allow the person to quickly identify therequested file folder. Because of the ease by which a person may locatea file folder, office personnel may place the file folders anywhere andin any convenient order. Thus, office personnel may place the mostfrequently used file folders at the front of a file drawer where theyare more easily accessed at a later time. Furthermore, because new filefolders may be placed in any file drawer or on any shelf, there is noneed to rearrange the file folders to make room for new file folders.

[0093] In addition, by utilizing a database to index file folders, thefile folders may be physically grouped or classified into varioustopical groups and subgroups. Thus, a user may access all the filefolders constituting the group or subgroup. Moreover, by issuing anappropriate command, a user can cause the indicator lights on all thefile folders of a selected group of file folders to blink thereby addingto the ease by which the user can locate the physical file copies forimmediate use or to gather for placement into a desired storage patternor location. Similarly, a user can locate all files mentioning aparticular subject by performing a keyword search. Thus, the presentinvention may provide higher levels of file organization even if a userwishes to maintain the files in a specific nonrandom order.

[0094]FIG. 13 is a flow chart illustrating the operation of filetracking system 10 when operating in an indicator light scanningoperation. As will be apparent from the following description, theindicator light scanning operation is useful for causing the indicatorlights on the selected file folders and branch indicators to blink.

[0095] An indicator light scanning operation is performed at timedintervals (Step 400). Processor 20 begins the operation by querying thedatabase for all present branch controller addressable switches 94 onthe main branch (Step 402). Then, for each branch controller addressableswitch 94 that is present (Step 404), processor 20 queries the databasefor file folders 70 having an indicator light blink flag set to logic“1” and located on the branch controlled by the selected branchcontroller addressable switch 94 (Step 406). The indicator light blinkflag for a file folder is set when a user requests processor 20 to blinkthe indicator light of a selected file folder. If no file folders arefound that are connected to the selected branch (Step 408) and havetheir indicator light blink flag set to “1”, processor 20 selects thenext branch (Step 404). If the processor 20 finds file folders 70,processor 20 queries the database for branch indicators on the selectedbranch (Step 410), then processor 20 opens communication with theselected branch (Step 412) and transmits control signals to each branchindicator 95 that is found on the selected branch (Step 414) causing thebranch indicator lights 96 to toggle on and off (Step 416). Next,processor 20 transmits control signals to each file folder 70 that isfound on the selected branch having its indicator light blink flag setto “1” (Step 418) causing the folder indicator lights 75 to toggle onand off (Step 420). After all of the folder indicator lights 75 on theselected branch have been toggled, processor 20 closes the selectedbranch (Step 422) and selects the next branch (Step 404). The process isrepeated until there are no more branches to select (Step 424). Thisprocedure may be programmed to be executed several times per second.

[0096] The control signals transmitted by processor 20 to toggle theindicator lights may include a first control signal containing theunique address of the addressable device followed by a secondtransmitted control signal including a command to toggle the indicatorlight. Alternatively, the control signals may include a single controlsignal transmitted by processor 20 that includes both the unique addressand the command to toggle the indicator light.

[0097] Although the above procedure is presently used to blink theindicator lights, it is also possible to utilize indicator lights thatblink upon receiving an instruction to do so until a subsequentinstruction is received to stop blinking. Further, processor 20 may readeach indicator for the status of the indicator light prior to issuing acontrol signal causing the indicator light to blink in order to ensurethat the indicator light is not already turned on.

[0098]FIG. 14 shows a file tracking system 500 constructed in accordancewith a second embodiment of the present invention.

[0099] The second embodiment of the file tracking system 500 differsfrom the first embodiment only in that file tracking system 500 includesa plurality of processors 20 a-20 d interconnected by a network, such asa local area network (LAN) 91 or a local office network (LON). Anexample of a LON in which the present invention may be implemented isdisclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,530,435, the disclosure of which isincorporated by reference herein. Each processor may store a portion ofthe entire database of the system such that the various processors andtheir respective portions of the database constitute a distributeddatabase system 501. In such a system any one of processors 20 a-d mayaccess the database stored in any other processor using a conventionaldistributed database management system (DDBMS), a networked databaseserver, or through database information stored with the file folder.

[0100] The DDBMS architecture of tracking system 500 allows any singlefile tracking program to operate on records that are spread acrossmultiple databases that are running on a variety of different processorsand operating systems connected through a variety of communicationnetworks. In a networked database server, a single processor maintains acentral database with the other processors having a subset copy of therecords pertaining to the file folders local to each processor. Aprocessor would use this local copy to monitor the file folder state andindicator light state, and relay only changes in state back to thecentral database.

[0101] By scaling the file tracking system of the present invention topermit multiple access to the system at various locations, file trackingsystem 500 permits multiple users in various locations to locate filefolders that are in distributed locations about the organization. Thus,this system can easily be adapted for use in a large organization havingnumerous office buildings in which file folders may be located in anyoffice or file repository of these office buildings.

[0102] Although the above embodiments of the present invention have beendescribed as using physical connections between the various elements,any one or all of the above connections may be replaced with a radiolink by providing a radio frequency (RF) transceiver connected toprocessor 20 and RF transceivers on the folder retainers and/or the filefolders themselves. FIG. 15 shows a third embodiment using RF signals.The third embodiment differs from the second embodiment in that RFtransceivers 120 are connected to processor 20 and either to each filefolder 70 or to each folder retainer, which refers to tray 40, filecabinet 50, shelving unit 60, and desk drawer 86. The third embodimentmay utilize the same RF communication protocols as used in cellulartelephones. For example, the system may employ cellular digital packetprotocol (CDPP) or the protocol used for personal communication systems(PCS). These protocols may be employed by utilizing branch controllersas a cell base station whereby file folders located within each cellregister with the closest cell base station such that processor 20 maytrack the location of each file folder.

[0103] Although the embodiment shown illustrates a system utilizing allRF links from processor 20, a combination of RF links and physical busconnections may also be employed. By providing the availability of radiolinks, mobile folder retainers, such as file carts, as well as remotelylocated folder retainers may be employed in the file tracking system ofthe present invention.

[0104] Although the processor(s) of the present invention have beendescribed with reference to personal computers, the processor may be aprocessor embedded in or near the folder retainer. In such anarrangement, it may be preferable for the embedded processor to includea plurality of serial ports to which different branches of the bus maybe connected, thus, eliminating the need for a number of branchcontrollers. Further, the processors may be computer terminals connectedto a network.

[0105] Further, processor 20 may be implemented in either a singleprocessing unit or in a distributed system whereby various tasksperformed by processor 20 are allocated to various components of thedistributed system. For example, one component may be responsible forscanning the bus, while another may be used to provide an interface withthe users. Further, various tasks described above as being performed byprocessor 20 may be allocated to embedded processor 27. For example,embedded processor 27 may maintain separate databases identifying whichfile folders are located on their associated branch.

[0106] Additionally, other types of annunciators or, as more broadlydefined herein, file locating devices, such as an audible alarm, maysupplement or replace the visual indicator lights used in the filetracking system.

[0107] Although it is preferable that the present invention be practicedusing addressable devices that each have unique addresses associatedtherewith, it is possible that in a system employing a large number ofaddressable devices, two or more addressable devices could have the sameaddress. The present claims are intended to cover the situation where atleast a plurality of addressable devices has unique addresses. To ensuresuch coverage, some claims below recite that the addressable deviceshave a substantially unique address.

[0108] The foregoing description of preferred embodiments of theinvention has been presented for purposes of illustration anddescription. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit theinvention to the precise form disclosed, and modifications andvariations are possible in light of the above teachings or may beacquired from practice of the invention. The embodiments were chosen anddescribed in order to explain the principles of the invention and itspractical application to enable one skilled in the art to utilize theinvention in various embodiments and with various modifications as aresuited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the scopeof the invention be defined by the claims appended hereto, and theirequivalents.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A file tracking system comprising: adatabase for maintaining file folder information including filelocation, and a unique address of each file folder; a processor forinterfacing with said database and issuing control signals; a furnitureunit; and a plurality of file folders, each file folder including anaddressable switch in communication with said processor through acommunication link, wherein at least a portion of said communicationlink is wireless.
 2. The file tracking system of claim 1, wherein saidcommunication link includes a first segment connecting said processor tosaid furniture unit, and a second segment connecting said furniture unitto file folders that are stored within or on said furniture unit.
 3. Thefile tracking system of claim 2, wherein said furniture unit includes ahorizontal surface on which the file folders may be vertically stacked.4. The file tracking system of claim 2, wherein said furniture unit is adesk.
 5. The file tracking system of claim 2, wherein said furnitureunit is configured to support hanging file folders.
 6. The file trackingsystem of claim 2, wherein said furniture unit is a file cabinet drawer.7. The file tracking system of claim 2, wherein said first segment ofsaid communication link is wireless.
 8. The file tracking system ofclaim 1, wherein at least some of said file folders include an RFreceiver for communicating with said processor over the wireless portionof said communication link.
 9. The file tracking system of claim 1,wherein all of said communication link between said file folders andsaid processor is wireless.
 10. The file tracking system of claim 9,wherein said furniture unit is a desk.
 11. The file tracking system ofclaim 9, wherein said furniture unit is a file cabinet drawer.
 12. Thefile tracking system of claim 1, wherein said wireless portion of saidcommunication link is a wireless RF connection.
 13. A file trackingsystem comprising: a database for maintaining file folder informationincluding file location, and a unique address of each file folder; aprocessor for interfacing with said database and issuing controlsignals; and a plurality of file folders, each file folder including anaddressable device that transmits a reply signal to said processor whensaid addressable device receives a control signal from said processor,wherein said processor is adapted to periodically poll said file foldersto obtain information from each file folder, detect differences betweenthe obtained information and the file folder information stored in saiddatabase, and to update said database when said processor detects adifference between the file folder information stored in said databaseand the obtained information.
 14. The file tracking system of claim 13,wherein said processor detects when file folders have been removed,added, moved, and returned within the system.
 15. The file trackingsystem of claim 14, wherein said processor detects the location of thefile folders and determines that a file folder has been moved when thefile folder has a detected location that is different from the locationpreviously stored in said database.
 16. The file tracking system ofclaim 14, wherein said processor detects the presence of the filefolders by determining the unique address stored in said addressabledevices of each file folder and determines that a new file folder hasbeen added to the system when the new file folder has a unique addressthat was not previously stored in said database.
 17. The file trackingsystem of claim 16, wherein said processor automatically creates adatabase entry for the new file folder, inserts the detected uniqueaddress associated therewith into an address field, and inserts thelocation at which the new file folder was detected into a location fieldin said database.
 18. The file tracking system of claim 14, wherein saidprocessor detects the presence of the file folders by determining theunique address stored in the addressable devices of each file folder anddetermines that a file folder has been removed when the file folder hada particular location stored in said database and said processordetermines that the file folder is no longer present at that location.19. The file tracking system of claim 18, wherein said processorautomatically updates said database to indicate that the removed filefolder was removed, a time and date that the filed folder was removed,and an identity of an individual who removed the file folder.
 20. Thefile tracking system of claim 19, wherein said processor determines theidentity of the individual who removed the file folder by determiningwhich individual last requested the location of the file folder.
 21. Thefile tracking system of claim 19, wherein said processor determines theidentity of the individual who removed the file folder by awaiting asubsequent detection of the file folder by said processor anddetermining which individual is associated with the location in whichsaid processor detects the file folder.
 22. The file tracking system ofclaim 13, wherein said processor further: receives a reply signal fromthe polled file folder, which was transmitted in response to a controlsignal transmitted by said processor to the polled file folder, thereply signal including the unique address corresponding to the polledfile folder; verifies the file location in the database corresponding tothe unique address of the polled file folder received in the replysignal; and updates the database to indicate a new file location for thepolled file folder when the location from which the reply signal wastransmitted is different from the file location previously stored in thedatabase.
 23. The file tracking system of claim 13, wherein saidprocessor issues control signals to said file folders through a wirelesslink.
 24. The file tracking system of claim 23, wherein said wirelesslink is an RF link.
 25. A file tracking system comprising: a databasefor maintaining file location and unique file addresses for a pluralityof files, said database further maintains user identification data for aplurality of files indicating which user last accessed the file; aprocessor for interfacing with said database and issuing controlsignals; a folder retainer; and a plurality of file folders, each filefolder including an addressable device in communication with saidprocessor through a communication link, wherein at least a portion ofsaid communication link is wireless.
 26. The file tracking system ofclaim 25, wherein said processor determines that a file folder wasremoved from its last location by sending and receiving signals fromsaid file folders over said communication link and comparing informationin a received signal to information stored in said database, and saidprocessor automatically updates said database to indicate that theremoved file folder was removed and an identity of an individual whoremoved the file folder.
 27. The file tracking system of claim 25,wherein said portion of said communication link is a wireless RF link.28. The file tracking system of claim 25, wherein said communicationlink includes a first segment connecting said processor to said folderretainer, and a second segment connecting said folder retainer to filefolders that are stored within said folder retainer.
 29. The filetracking system of claim 28, wherein said first segment of saidcommunication link is a wireless link.
 30. A file locating systemcomprising: a database for maintaining file location code and uniquefile addresses for a plurality of files, said database further maintainsgeneral file information for a plurality of files including at least oneof a description of contents within the file, file classification, a keyword list, associated with the file, a title of the file, an originatorof the file, accessibility permission lists for the file, locationdescriptions associated with each file location code, and historicalinformation for a plurality of files; a processor for interfacing withsaid database and issuing control signals; a plurality of file folders,each file folder including an addressable switch in communication withsaid processor through a communication link; and a file locating deviceadapted to aid in the location of a file folder in response to controlsignals issued by said processor.
 31. The file locating system of claim30, wherein at least a portion of said communication link includes awireless link.
 32. The file locating system of claim 31, wherein saidwireless link is an RF link.
 33. The file locating system of claim 30and further comprising a folder retainer in communication with saidprocessor through said communication link, wherein filer folders placedin said folder retainer are in communication with said processor throughsaid folder retainer.
 34. The file locating system of claim 30, whereinthe general file information stored in said database includes a key wordlist, which lists certain key words that describe or may be found in afile.
 35. The file locating system of claim 30, wherein the general fileinformation stored in said database includes file classification, whichindicates any classification groups with which a file folder isassociated.
 36. The file locating system of claim 30, wherein thegeneral file information stored in said database includes accessibilitypermission lists, which are used to prevent certain individuals fromaccessing certain file folders.
 37. The file tracking system of claim 30and further including a plurality of folder retainers connected to saidprocessor through said communication link and remotely located relativeto a memory device in which said database is stored, wherein thelocation descriptions stored in said database for each of said pluralityof files identifies the folder retainer in which the corresponding filefolder is located.
 38. The file tracking system of claim 30, whereinsaid historical information includes at least one of file locationhistory, file access history, and file retention history.
 39. The filetracking system of claim 38, wherein the historical information storedin said database includes file location history, which indicates thelocations and dates at which a file folder has been located over aperiod of time.
 40. The file tracking system of claim 38, wherein thehistorical information stored in said database includes file accesshistory, which indicates who checked out a file folder and when the filefolder was checked in or out.
 41. The file tracking system of claim 38,wherein the historical information stored in said database includes fileretention history, which identifies the length of time since a filefolder was last accessed in order to determine whether the file may bepurged.
 42. The file tracking system of claim 30, wherein said databasefurther maintains a time stamp for a plurality of files indicating atime that a file was added, removed, and/or detected at a new location.43. A file tracking system comprising: a database for maintaining filefolder information including file location, and a unique address of eachfile folder; a processor for interfacing with said database and issuingcontrol signals; a folder retainer; and a plurality of file folders,each file folder including an addressable switch in communication with awireless receiver via a wireless connection constituting at least aportion of a communication link between said processor and saidaddressable switches.
 44. The file tracking system of claim 43, whereinsaid folder retainer is a furniture unit.
 45. The file tracking systemof claim 44, wherein said furniture unit includes a horizontal surfaceon which the file folders may be vertically stacked.
 46. The filetracking system of claim 44, wherein said furniture unit is a desk. 47.The file tracking system of claim 44, wherein said furniture unit isconfigured to support hanging file folders.
 48. The file tracking systemof claim 44, wherein said furniture unit is a file cabinet drawer. 49.The file tracking system of claim 43, wherein said wireless receiversare RF receivers and said wireless connection is a wireless RFconnection.
 50. The file tracking system of claim 43, wherein all ofsaid communication link between said file folders and said processor iswireless.